By Kylie Woodward
Staff Writer
Freddie Polanco is one of the newest additions to the MCHS teaching staff. Polanco teaches AP European History and AP United States History. According to Polanco, he is optimistic for the new school year.
Polanco transferred from Pacific Academy, a small private school in Encinitas, California to become a history teacher at Costa.
“My primary goal is to prepare students in AP Euro and AP U.S. History to take and pass their AP test with a 4 or above,” Polanco said. “My secondary goal is to develop the ability of students to understand the difference between history as a discipline and history as a subject, not just in theory but in practice.”
According to Polanco, he strives to become a part of the MCHS culture and campus as a new teacher. After previously being employed as a coach for many sports, Polanco is excited to try something new, and is optimistic for the future. Education has always been an important part of his life. According to Polanco, role models from his childhood influenced him to pursue a career in education.
“I had a few key individuals that I drew my inspiration from,” Polanco said. “[I admire] my father for his strict work ethic, a former high school history teacher for his academic and intellectual modeling and assistance, a few professors for their challenges and emphasis on personal accountability, and a former coach who gave me my first opportunity to step into the field of education. All of them inspired me in different ways to pursue a career as a teacher.”
Polanco attended California State University, Long Beach, where he graduated with a degree in History. After graduating, Polanco decided to become a teacher. Starting as a sports coach right after high school, Polanco was surrounded by the challenges and rewards of being involved in education at a school, which led to his wanting to become a teacher.
“‘Always learning’ would be my motto,” Polanco said. “In Latin, though, so it sounds more official.”
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